Free Agents: A Look At The Preseason Performance Of PWHL Free Agents

With only days remaining before final rosters are due, some of the PWHL's unsigned free agents jumped out with strong preseason performances.

Every PWHL team still has unsigned players in camp with them in Utica, New York playing crucial preseason games in terms of roster decisions.

Here's a team-by-team look at how PWHL free agents fared, and who the unsigned standouts in preseason have been.

No free agent played a more regular role with Boston over the first two games than Taylor Wenczkowski. The former Boston Pride forward centered Boston's third line and saw special team time. Out of the large group of talented PHF free agents trying out for Boston, a forward group that includes Sammy Davis, McKenna Brand, and Amanda Pelkey, Wenczkowski looks like the frontrunner for an opening night roster spot. Her two-way game and ability in the face-off circle will provide important depth contributions. Another player who may have secured her spot via her performance was Gigi Marvin. The long time Team USA veteran did not play last season, but it didn't take long for her to show she can still contribute in this league, even if it's only for another year or two. Marvin was poised with the puck, played a positionally strong game, flashed her hands in a shootout goal, and physically knocked players off the puck (and their feet) at times. What may win Marvin the eventual spot is her versatility. She played forward, including centering a 5-on-3 penalty kill for Boston, and on the powerplay, found herself on the blueline. 

The unsigned player who made the most noticeable impact up front for Minnesota was Abby Boreen. With the puck, Boreen made several power moves and was a threat in both games she played. With injuries mounting, Boreen could now factor into Minnesota's plan. Truth be told, she outperformed other drafted and signed Minnesota players. On the backend, Minnesota needed someone to step up, and that player looked like Dominique Kremer. There was little flash and dash, but there was consistent defending, and reliable puck movement from the veteran. Abby Cook didn't look out of place, and could serve a depth role in Minnesota, while Emma Greco, although she won't put up numbers, played physical and reliable minutes.

Up front, Catherine Dubois was a noticeable addition in Montreal. She regularly caught the eye of onlookers in her first game. In a depth role, Dubois' size and upside, along with her veteran presence could be of value, if not to Montreal, than to another team looking to add a new element to their depth. In terms of maximizing options for the season in a league that doesn't have a farm system, the versatility of Leah Lum was on display. Known as a forward in the PHF with the Toronto Six last season, Lum showed she can contribute in a number of ways playing defence for PWHL Montreal in the preseason, a position she's stepped into a number of times including for China at the World Championships. On the back end, Catherine Daoust and Brigitte Laganiere both had solid moments. The decision on defense could depend on the overall decision with Leah Lum.

New York's key free agent, Madison Packer, remained on the sideline, and NCAA graduate Savannah Norcross earned a contract midway through the week, and showed she'll be a depth energy player bringing speed and tenacity to the ice. Through the opening games, none of New York's free agents vying for a spot separated themselves from the pack. On the blueline, it's a toss up. If anything, it was negative performances from New York's blueline free agents that may have helped make the decisions, particularly with presence of Claire Thompson as a reserve, and the knowledge that Micah Zandee-Hart will return sometime in the opening 3-4 weeks of the season. 

As expected in Ottawa, some of their free agent invitees played significant roles early. In the opening game of the preseason, Mikyla Grant-Mentis found herself on Ottawa's top line, scoring a goal and firing five shots. She played on the edge physically, blocked shots, and looked like a viable option to flank Emily Clark up front. Natalie Snodgrass made the most of her opportunity as well, showing that she remains dangerous around the net up front. Perhaps the best surprise for women's hockey fans was Akane Shiga's showing against New York. She's small, but mighty, and used her speed and fearlessness on the ice to get to the net, create opportunities off the forecheck, and grab attention each time she stepped on the ice. At 22, she's one of the youngest players on any roster, and where she is now, compared to where she could be by seasons end may be enough to earn her a spot. The final spot on the blueline remains up in the air, but neither Ottawa defender vying for the position truly separated themself from the other.

It's Toronto, and it's hockey, so there will be debate. Kaitlin Willoughby, who played with Team Sonnet in the PWHPA last year, looked like a player who could provide meaningful depth contributions in Toronto this season. She can flat out fly, and was effective on the forecheck, and during PK opportunities. Her speed is something that can't be taught, and in a fourth line role, she'll keep opponents on their toes. Samantha Cogan also had moments where you could see her value in a bottom six role with upside. The battle for Toronto's final blueline spots will be personal preference from Troy Ryan and Gina Kingsbury. Olivia Knowles has the inside edge as a drafted player, perhaps followed by Emma Keenan. Melissa Channell showed herself to be quick enough to keep up, but may not have the upside of the others, while Lauriane Rougeau brought a veteran presence with the puck, but mobility will be a realistic concern in this league.